Most people think photographers have a ”fetish” or love affair with their cameras, they think that we cannot stop buying them. I’m not (quite) in that camp. Every camera (almost) is purchased with a business case. Purchased for a reason.
Bags however. Thats a different story. Find me a photographer that not obsessed with finding the best bag. There are no photographers that have not wasted hundreds of pounds on bags that were “almost” perfect.
Thats because there is no such thing as the “perfect camera bag” and anyone that tells you there is, cannot be trusted!
This week I am talking about my latest “imperfect but meeting specific needs” baggage.
As I have mentioned in many posts, I am a long time Think Tank user, relying on both an Airport Roller and Airport Essentials as my main bags. They have both served very well, with the backpack still in regular use. The roller, however, is a little worse for wear now, the zip is not reliable and it is very battered.
The other issue with those bags is that fully packed, they are too heavy. A few years ago that was not the case (a matter of pride for many photographers – how much kit they carry), but, time passes and now, I need to be more nuanced in the kit I carry.
I also mentioned when I added the 200/F2 to my premiere kit, the impact it was having my my back (in the backpack).
So. Rethink time.
The impact of the 200mm meant I would have to switch back to a roller for premieres. However, as my current Think Tank is too big, I needed to look elsewhere.
I settled on the VEO Select 42T BK Roller Case in green – A pilot type roller, which I would hopefully not overload.
It carries my premiere kit of the two X-H bodies along with the 200/F2 , 50-140 and 16-80 along with a flashgun, associated bits and pieces plus laptop.
I have been using it since August and overall, I am really happy with it; It does not look too “photographic” (if you know what I mean). I love the fact that I can set the cameras up and then access them easily from the top opening without laying the bag down (as you do with traditional roller cases.
The straps that stop the main opening (which holds the laptop) from opening all the way (on to a wet floor if its raining) works quite well, although care is advised if the bag is not fully loaded as the laptop pivoted down makes the bag front heavy and likely to tip.
The only issue I have encountered so far is the wheels do not seem to be as free-rolling as they were when the bag was new. Maybe a little lubrication is in order.
What on URTH….
… was I thinking of when I added another bag to my collection this week?
I can’t decide whether this next section should be a new post or a continuation but calling the post “excess” gives me license to add a second bag to the post.
My “walk around” bag for many years has been a fujifilm millican which I was given for my original X100. Its been all around the world with me and is a very useful, practical bag, but, I have always had a couple of issues with it. (Don’t laugh).
- It’s obviously a camera bag.
- As such (I think) its masculine (I said dont laugh).
I’ve put up with both of these issues because it is so useful, but, I want to travel lighter at times, and I dont want my bag to look like a camera bag if I am just on a day out or if I am walking around town.
URTH is a brand I have been aware of and using for a while. I have their filter kits for my X100 and the laptop sleeve which looks great and functions even better.
I thought I would take a look at their latest offering, the Dolomite Camera Sling, a bag that does not look like a camera bag. Knowing the colour (see above) I thought it would go well with many of the clothes I wear (yes! I know, vanity is an issue!)
The bag features an internal zip pouch. meaning my purse is secure and the external puch is also zipped, protecting my phone, keys etc.
I went for the smaller variant, thinking it would fit the GFX100RF or the X100, along with my journal, purse and phone.
Its tight with the GFX but after this last weekend with it, it functioned well as both a basic handbag/shoulder bag as well as walk-around camera bag.The best thing is it just looks like a normal shoulder bag, with no hint of cameras….
As I said, it is tight and I am wondering if I should have gone for the larger size although I do wonder if that would then look more like its true purpose.
Note: All images X100 with Easy ACE recipe
To close, I also added the Zeolite Tech Organiser to help carry some of the smaller items and clamps with the roller.
How do you get on with bags? Do you also have too many? What are your favorites?
Let me know….
J
Julie Edwards-X 